The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1887-01-11
A CHAPTER ON SHOES
A Pair for q New York Belle
that Cost 500.
Various Other Facts OF Interest Abou,
New and Old Shoes.

Lots of 'em," was the reply. "We
make quite a business of shoes for Grip
pies. You'd be surprised Mt the num-
Der OF people whose undcrpinnings re-
qulre building up on one order or the
other. Some limbs are shortened from
habit Of standing, but usually disease.
accident or prenatal deformity is the
cause. Cork cut up in thin layers makes
up the lining of the thick solcs. 1t is
light and thus prepared possesses the
requisite elasticity. We make cork
soled shoes for men who do not possess
uneven lengths in lower limbs. Staunch
OLD business men who have learned the
value OF keeping their feet dry wear
cork-solcd shoes in winter. Now and
then a little man who is ambitious and
dlsgruntled because so short that the
crowd overlo oks him comes to us to be
boosted up. We have made cork-soled
shoes for actors who play robust tragic
parts and lack in stature that the part
calls for. Ministers also who are some
what abbrevia ed come to us to be shod
so that their pulpit presence will be more
imposing. Half an inch on the bottom
OF a mans foot makes 9 vast difference
Isn't the custom shoe trade falling
OH on account of the low prices for
which the factory shoe is soldW
"Not ut all. So long as there is q de-
sire for comfort on the part of those
possessed of money, and so long rs feet
are made In different moulds, the Gus
tom trade will be rs good as ever. There
are men who would 90 barefoot rather
than wear a factory-made shoe. They
could not do it if t2cy wanted to. I sup
pose we have 500 customers for whom
VIC keep special lasts that are perfect
counterparts of their pedal extremities
in form at least. Bits of leather take
the place Of great-toe joints and painful
bunions. When a man gets a shoe made
over q last like that the 'breaking-in,
process looses its terrors. The tendency
IN mems shoes is toward common. sense
shapes. Broad low heels and fairly wide
rounded toes are the most sought for.
h box toe is a thing of the past.
Pointed toes are only worn in patent
leather dress shoes, and they are not so
ultra as two or three years ago. Men
not alone in, their dress for comfort or
foot-gear, although some of them have
of shining half worn shoes standing
along the m~op-boards of their chambers.
Women are becoming very good Gus
of the order made shoes"
twelve to fifteen dollars is the limit
for a gentleman's shoe. I kow OF q pair
ladies' shoes on exhibition in a Broad
way window that will bring 800. They
were made for a Murray Hill belle. who
has a pretty foot and IN equally attrac-
tive pocketbook. They are made, save
The soles, of plain black satin. Rhine
set in solid silver form the buttons.
heels are still worn in dress shoes.
but New York women do an immense
of walking and have learned
from their English sisters that they cam
not do it in narrow, high-heeled shoes.
Children and old ladies wear what are
called spring heels.' They are in
reality so far as the eye can see no heels
1t all. Many girls of Is wear this style
If shoe. When you see a lady whose
is the poetry of motion you can put
Ter down as wearing low-hceled, broad
foot covering. There was quite a
rade last winter and the winter before
n skating shoes. These are broad heel.
LIBERAL soles, tight calfskin shoe with
light lace tops. Roller skating has de-.
'lined, but ice-skating will doubtless be
more popular than ever if the mercury
,oes low enough between now and
The high lace tops arc a great
Import to the ankle, besides looking
PARTICULARLY neat. =,
Sixteen cents per diem prison contract t
aided by split leather uppers and !
'aper filed soles, has brought ready t
aade shoes down to a price that places
hem within the reach of all. Some of |
hem, fair to see, sell for as low q figure
s 81. This class of shoe and the cast {
# made-to-ordcr shoes of those who
afford such luxuries are principally l
old in middle basement shops in Baxter t
treet, the Bowery, First, Second, Sixth
Ninth avenues. MANY get into the '
awnshops during the summer when their &
wners put on their Oxford ties, and the r
dealers pick them up at c
n average price of 81 a pair. Only we'll !